The Jews, also known as the Israelites or Hebrews, are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, forming a central narrative in the biblical account. Their account is foundational to the understanding of God's covenantal relationship with humanity, as depicted in the Scriptures.

Abrahamic Covenant

The origin of the Jewish people is traced back to Abraham, whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldeans. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him the father of a great nation. In Genesis 12:2-3 , God declares, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you."

Isaac and Jacob

The covenantal promise continued through Abraham's son Isaac and grandson Jacob. Isaac was the child of promise, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, as recorded in Genesis 21:1-3 : "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him."

Jacob, later named Israel, fathered twelve sons who became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Genesis 35:10-12 recounts God's reaffirmation of the covenant with Jacob: "And God said to him, 'Your name is Jacob; you will no longer be called Jacob, but your name will be Israel.' So God named him Israel. And God said to him, 'I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.'"

The Exodus and the Law

The descendants of Jacob, known as the Israelites, eventually found themselves enslaved in Egypt. God raised up Moses to lead them out of bondage, an event known as the Exodus. This pivotal moment in Jewish history is detailed in the book of Exodus, where God delivers His people with mighty acts and establishes them as a nation at Mount Sinai. There, God gives the Law, including the Ten Commandments, as a guide for living in covenant relationship with Him (Exodus 20:1-17).

The Promised Land and the Monarchy

The Israelites' journey continued as they entered the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. The land of Canaan, promised to Abraham and his descendants, became the physical and spiritual center of Jewish life. The period of the Judges followed, leading to the establishment of the monarchy with Saul, David, and Solomon as notable kings. God's covenant with David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 , promised an everlasting kingdom through his lineage, ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah.

Exile and Return

The history of the Jews is marked by periods of exile and return. Due to disobedience, the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria, and the southern kingdom of Judah was exiled to Babylon. However, God's faithfulness endured, and a remnant returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, as chronicled in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Messianic Hope

Throughout their history, the Jews have held onto the hope of a coming Messiah, a descendant of David who would restore Israel and bring salvation to the world. This hope is rooted in numerous prophetic writings, such as Isaiah 9:6-7 : "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this."

The New Testament and Beyond

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. The early Christian church, initially composed of Jewish believers, spread the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles.

The Jewish people, as descendants of Abraham, continue to play a significant role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, as they are integral to the biblical narrative and the history of salvation.Psalm 105:6
O you seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 8:33
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:7
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your seed be called.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jews.
... we, then, blame the blindness and incredulity of the descendants of Abraham, let
us ... and a disposition is said to be increasing, among the Jews, favorable to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

Jesus and Abraham.
... It was the proud boast of the Jews that they were descendants of Abraham. They trusted
in their blood rather than in obedience to the God of Abraham. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and abraham.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... 8 which antedates the actual history of the Jews. ... hundred years before the birth
of their father Abraham. ... remote period, God assigned to the descendants of the ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

In Christ all are Free. The Jews Hope for Salvation in Vain ...
... The Jews hope for salvation in vain because they are sons of Abraham. ... would receive
even all those who amongst Japheth's race are descendants of Canaan ...
/.../chapter cxl in christ all are.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... Asiatic supremacy and especially in the Jews who conquered ... Hitherto all the descendants
of Noah had spoken the ... In ages long before Abraham and Moses the world ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

The Connexion Between Steadfastness, Truth, and Freedom. (John ...
... had to be made free," a disgrace for descendants of Abraham ... Him, whom Abraham longed
for, they sought to destroy ... thus the misunderstanding of the Jews to bring ...
/.../section 196 the connexion between.htm

The Leafless Tree
... These are the descendants of Abraham, my friend. ... Let us think a little more of
the Jews than we have been wont; let us pray oftener for them. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the leafless tree.htm

The Rejuvenation and Restoration of Israel.
... missionary program, but now we behold "Missions to the Jews" springing up in ... most
influential positions are now filled by the descendants of Abraham, and it ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/8 the rejuvenation and restoration.htm

Concerning Sarah Abraham's Wife; and How She Ended Her Days.
The Antiquities of the Jews. <. ... And both Abraham and his
descendants built themselves sepulchers in that place. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 concerning sarah abrahams.htm

John's Conception of Messiah's Kingdom.
... He contradicts the notion, so prevalent among the Jews, that all the descendants
of Abraham who outwardly observed the religion of their fathers would be taken ...
/.../section 40 johns conception of.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.org

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